Corbett delays Medicaid co-pays for autistic kids

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — The Corbett administration is postponing a plan to require thousands of families that get Medicaid coverage for children with autism and other disabilities to help pay the bills.

Public Welfare Secretary Gary Alexander said Friday the proposed co-payments for wealthier families have been shelved while officials instead seek federal approval for a new premium that would be paid up front.

The co-payment plan applied to families whose incomes are at least double the poverty level. For a family of four, that’s $46,000 a year. Once the co-payments reached 5 percent of the families’ income, the state would pick up the full tab.

Some parents say it’s unfair to impose a new cost on one group of recipients. State officials said the change would save the state $4 million a year.